Moment two credit card fraudsters are caught swindling a Scottish cafe out of £425 over a hot chocolate
Two men are suspected of defrauding Just Be Bistro in Lockerbie by manipulating its card terminal during a hot chocolate purchase. The incident left the café £425 out of pocket and, according to its owner, undermined staff’s trust, prompting him to warn other businesses.
CCTV shows the men distracting staff with questions while changing the £4.25 charge to £425, then using a different card to take the money through a refund. The owner learned of the fraud on 3 October, when the stolen card’s owner initiated a chargeback. Police Scotland said it received a report that day and enquiries were at an early stage; the men are known to Hampshire Police.
- Men allegedly altered a £4.25 café charge to £425.
- A different card was used to obtain the refund.
- Police Scotland says enquiries are at an early stage.
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Card fraud at payment devices involves manipulating the machines used to process bills to steal money. This incident at a small bistro in Lockerbie involved two men who allegedly used such tactics.
The men are suspected of distracting staff whilst one changed the charge on the card machine from £4.25 to £425. They then obtained the money through a refund using a different card.
For small independent cafes, fraud like this causes real damage beyond the financial loss. The incident has shaken staff confidence and prompted warnings to other local traders about the same tactics.